The Color of His Boots

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Color of His Boots is here in full — 665 sentences across 133 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By W. C. (Wilbur C.) Tuttle • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 1 of The Color of His Boots by W. C. (Wilbur C.) Tuttle holds 665 sentences, grouped into 133 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Color of His Boots contain?

Chapter 1 holds 665 sentences of The Color of His Boots, unabridged, divided into 133 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Color of His Boots by W. C. (Wilbur C.) Tuttle exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 665 sentences, grouped into 133 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Color of His Boots?

Work through the 133 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 133 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

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Common questions about reading The Color of His Boots by W. C. (Wilbur C.) Tuttle on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Color of His Boots?

Yes. All 665 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #65947 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Color of His Boots is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #65947, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Color of His Boots take to read?

About 55 minutes of reading across 133 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Color of His Boots

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Color of His Boots, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Color of His Boots; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Judgement: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Color of His Boots; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dirty: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Color of His Boots; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Doughgod: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Color of His Boots; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Cover illustration for The Color of His Boots

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Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

It’s all right for a feller to desire to appear to a good advantage, especially on Sunday, but a finicky person hadn’t ought to pack a gun at a time when he’s just acquired something out of the ordinary in haberdashery.

New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter I Reading 1/133

The Color of His Boots W. C. (Wilbur C.) Tuttle

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Color of His Boots is here in full — 665 sentences across 133 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky. It’s all right for a feller to desire to appear to a good advantage, especially on Sunday, but a finicky person hadn’t ought to pack a gun at a time when he’s just acquired something out of the ordinary in haberdashery. New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me. They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper. Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

The Color of His Boots

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Color of His Boots is here in full — 665 sentences across 133 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/133 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

Line 2

Line 3

New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

Line 4

They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

Line 5

Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “It’s all right for a feller to desire to appear to a good advantage, especially on Sunday, but a finicky person hadn’t ought to pack a gun at a time when he’s just acquired something out of the ordinary in haberdashery.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.”

Same adjective US /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading “They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

All words in this reading · 89

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It’s all right for a feller to desire to appear to a good advantage, especially on Sunday, but a finicky person hadn’t ought to pack a gun at a time when he’s just acquired something out of the ordinary in haberdashery.

acquired

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

advantage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

Anyway

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

appear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

Author

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

Bird's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

blisters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

boots

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

bow-legged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

comfortable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

contend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

cramps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

desire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

diamonds

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

Dirty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

don't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

Doughgod

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

edges

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

especially

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

etc

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

feller

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

finicky

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

good

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

got

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

gun

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

haberdashery

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

hadn't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

Harper

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

he's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

heels

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

I'm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

Ike

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

It's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

Jay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

Judgement

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

just

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

knees

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

Magpie

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

mean

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

misery

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

New

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading New boots don’t mean nothing but misery to me.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

ordinary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

outside

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

pack

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

person

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

right

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

run

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

set

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

Simpkins

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Anyway, I’m so bow-legged that my heels have got to be run over on the outside edges before I can be comfortable around the knees.

sole

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

spell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

still

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

Sunday

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

time

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

too

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

way

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They could set diamonds all the way around the sole, but just the same she don’t spell nothing but blisters and cramps to Ike Harper.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

Work

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of “Jay Bird’s Judgement,” “Dirty Work for Doughgod,” etc. I still contend that Magpie Simpkins is too finicky.

Chapter I

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Vocabulary met early in The Color of His Boots